Chapter 21

When Sorin's face exploded into pain and his vision went momentarily black, he knew he'd made a terrible mistake. Where exactly he'd made that mistake he wasn't quite sure, though. Was it not fully clearing his head before practice? Running only a couple miles today instead of his normal five to seven? Waking up late because he'd been thinking so hard the night before that he hadn't been able to sleep? Ah, that was probably it; the sleep thing. And what could possibly have him up all night tossing and turning? Fucking Taichi! How could he kiss Yayoi? And how could Yayoi brush it off like it wasn't a big deal?! Her first kiss had been stolen by that smooth talking asshole and neither one of them seemed it have any issue with it. And why, why, was he so upset about it?

"Yo, Sorin, you okay man?" His vision was blurry so he didn't immediately recognize the face above him, and his ears were still ringing so he couldn't recognize the voice.

"I think his nose is broken, Sensei."

"Oh man, that's a lot of blood…."

"Sorin? Sorin, how many fingers am I holding up?"

He groggily pushed a hand out of his face and sat up, his head spinning and his face throbbing. He groaned, grateful for the hands that helped him to his feet. He needed to get this out of his head, it was driving him insane. It wasn't like Yayoi was his girlfriend, and she obviously wasn't Taichi's. She had every right to do what she did, but he couldn't push down that sense of betrayal. By his own brother, and by her.

The nurse patched him up as best she could but Ichigo was still called in to pick him up and take him to the hospital to get properly checked out. His nose was broken and there was a split right at the bridge that required two small stitches. Face still throbbing-Sorin hated pain medication-Ichigo drove him home and went back to work for the last of his shift.

Sorin lay on his bed, an ice pack over the upper half of his face to combat the swelling. Not being active was the worst thing in his mind-well, almost the worst thing-and instead of trying to catch up on some sleep that he apparently desperately needed, his thoughts wandered back to Yayoi and his brother. He liked her, and Taichi had known it even back then. He'd caught Sorin staring one day at the park and had teased him mercilessly about it for days afterwards. Sorin hadn't denied liking Yayoi, not to his brother, but he knew, deep down, that it wasn't something that he should openly admit to. Especially to their parents. He also knew that there was no way that Yayoi would like him back, no matter how nice she was to him. Sorin couldn't shake the anger now, though, and it was driving him nuts. It was like six years ago, only happened once, what the hell was wrong with him?!

He sighed and took the ice pack from his face, letting it dangle from his hand off the side of his bed as he glared at the ceiling. He needed to give up on Yayoi for good, this was so stupid. He couldn't sleep or focus on anything, and he'd gotten his damn nose broke over something so stupid. He was done, he told himself then. Done with girls, done with Yayoi, done with his stupid brother kissing everyone. It was time for him to focus only on school and sports and get any other ideas out of his head because they were all just seriously fucking him up. He wasn't smart enough to handle that much going on in his head and it showed in what had happened that day.

Sorin sat up too quickly, blood rushing to his head and making the pounding, that had slowed to a steady, faint throb, thunder in his ears and face. Taking only a moment, Sorin stood and went to his desk, pulling open one of the drawers and sifting through a few things before he found a picture he'd been saving of Yayoi. Her hair was long in his picture, pulled back in a braid and draped over her shoulder. She was wearing a pink dress, and the sun was shining down on her pale skin. She was a vision of beauty and it made his heart clench at the sight. Sorin grit his teeth and slammed the drawer shut, tossing the picture in the trash can by the desk before he returned to bed. There, it was officially over, his obsession with something, someone he could never have.

He grabbed the ice pack again and slapped it on his face, crying out faintly and groaning because it hurt like hell.

"I'm just saying that you're acting awful devious lately." Tomoe toed off her shoes at the door and tossed her backpack towards the couch before making her way to the kitchen for a snack.

"I am not." Yayoi grumbled behind her, taking time to set her shoes aside neatly, fix Tomoe's, and set her bag next t the couch as well.

"What the fuck ever." Fridge open, Tomoe stuck her head out of the kitchen and pursed her lips at Yayoi. "Suggesting Sora give Tai a foot massage?" Her brows rose but Yayoi didn't seem to take the bait. Or, at least she couldn't tell as the girl purposefully avoided looking at her.

"Taichi is in pain, and Sora can help." She shrugged and Tomoe snorted loudly.

"Oh yeah, I bet. A nice big O would make Tai feel so much better than he has been lately."

She saw Yayoi's lips twitch and grinned, snatching a couple sodas from the still open fridge and kicking it shut with her foot. She tossed one to Yayoi, laughing when it was fumbled and ultimately dropped, before she plopped on the couch and reached for the remote to the TV. Friday afternoons were for relaxing as far as she was concerned, and after the week she'd had she felt she deserved it. Not that anything particularly bad had happened to her, but she had had a lot on her mind and it had worn her right the hell out. She needed a vacation…. Yayoi sat next to her, gently tapping the top of her soda can before she carefully opened it, letting it hiss compressed carbonation periodically before she finally cracked it open all the way.

"Sorin's still all butt hurt about you kissing Tai by the way." As if the awkward glances and deliberate avoidance hadn't clued Yayoi in to that already. Yayoi sighed and set the can on the coffee table.

"So, how's Kin? You know, the weirdo artist that painted a giant picture of your face?"

Tomoe blushed and glared at Yayoi. "See, you're being a bitch."

Yayoi rolled her eyes. "You are always telling me to speak my mind and when I do, I'm a bitch."

"I didn't do anything!"

"How about this: I won't bring up your thing, if you don't bring up mine. Deal?"

With a huff, Tomoe began to angrily change channels on the TV. "Fine." Yayoi was no fun when she was actually angry, and it usually took so much, but lately, ever since the weekend before, she'd been edgy. Sometimes Tomoe forgot that she was Shinji's daughter, and no matter how nice Shinji could be he had a mean streak to rival her fathers'.

Tomoe was in the bathroom when Yayoi heard a door open down the hall. When Sorin appeared it was like someone had squeezed at the air out of her lungs and she gasped, sitting up straighter at the sight of two black eyes and a bandaged nose.

"Oh my God, what happened?!" She asked, jumping off the couch and approaching him as she normally would have. She'd seen Sorin after a fight, but he'd never looked this worn out and banged up; at least so far as she remembered.

Sorin actually jumped when he heard and saw her approaching, taking a step back before he stopped himself. He hadn't expected to see her there, nor his heart's response to her concern. It thudded wildly in his chest and he felt heat rise to his cheeks. Quickly clearing his throat, Sorin turned from her and made his way towards the kitchen for something to drink.

"Sorin, are you okay?" Yayoi pressed, following him.

He sighed and yanked open the fridge hard enough to dislodge a bottle of mustard from the door. "It's nothing, really." He grumbled and bent slowly to grab it so that his head pounded less than when he got up off the bed just now.

"Did you get into a fight? Is it broken? Do you need anything?"

"No! God. Leave me alone, Yayoi." Maybe it was the pain, his lack of sleep, his disgust at his own attitude lately, or the fact that Yayoi's rapid fire questioning was giving him a headache, that had him reacting the way he did. He hesitated and let out a huffed breath, grabbing a bottle of apple juice and slamming the door shut. Without looking up, he began to skirt around her to retreat back to his bedroom. Or maybe he should go raid the medicine cabinet and actually take something for the pain so he could at least sleep.

That was until he heard a little sniffle and looked up just in time to see a few tears spill from Yayoi's pretty blue eyes.

"You know what, Sorin? Fuck you." Her delicate chin lifted and she spun around, snatching up her backpack and her shoes and leaving the house. Sorin could only stare after her with wide eyes and an ache in his chest that he'd never felt before. Yayoi had never cussed at him before. She'd never raised her voice or been anything but the epitome of sweetness to him. Yayoi had never cried because of him and disgust filled him so abruptly that it made his stomach roll. He'd threatened to beat the shit out of her ex for making her cry, and he'd gone and done it himself. God, he was such a piece of shit.

"Where's Yo?" Tomoe asked as she reentered the living room, frowning at her brother.

Sorin said nothing, only set the apple juice on the island counter and returned to his room.

"Is there something wrong with your brother lately?" Ichigo stayed behind to help Taichi clean up after dinner, shooing Tomoe away with absolutely no problems. He turned on the tap to start rinsing and Taichi pulled open the dishwasher.

"Other than he's an idiot?" Taichi quipped and Ichigo rolled his eyes.

"Yes." He responded in monotone. "Other than that." Taichi chuckled, glancing back to see if Sorin, or anyone, was around.

"He's jealous because I kissed someone he likes when we were like twelve."

Ichigo looked disbelievingly at him before shaking his head and sighing a deep, affected sigh. "Just apologize before he gets something else broken." He was too old and too tired to deal with the stupidity of his sons most days. At least the biggest stressor in their lives was gone, and Grimmjow and Taichi seemed to be making a valiant effort to restore their relationship. But Sorin wasn't usually as emotional as this, and it worried Ichigo enough that he'd been tense all evening. Sorin had a temper, sure, who in their household didn't? But he was getting himself hurt and damaging his future and Ichigo wouldn't stand for that.

But he also wasn't going to go out and fix his children's problems either.

When dishes were done, Ichigo had wondered off to shower and get ready for bed, Grimmjow chasing after him and tickling him until Ichigo shouted, making him laugh loudly before their bedroom door was shut. Tomoe was already in her room, and Sorin was pouting on the couch, pretending to watch highlights from a game he had missed out on earlier in the week. Taichi stood behind the couch for a long moment, watching the TV though he had zero interest in what was on. God, his brother looked like shit. He couldn't believe he'd gotten his stupid nose broken over all of this.

"Are you just going to stand there like a freak all night?" Sorin grumped and Taichi rolled his eyes.

"We need to talk, apparently." Taichi crossed his arms and came around the side of the couch so that Sorin could see him.

"I have nothing to say to you." Sorin stood, snatching up the remote and turning off the TV, readying to leave the room.

Taichi stopped him, holding out a long, lean arm and blocking his way. They both knew that Sorin need only push through, Taichi had never been strong enough to hold him back, but Sorin still stopped and sent a withering glare at his brother. It had Taichi's jaw ticking and his nostrils faring. How the hell was he supposed to get it through to his idiot brother that he was being a fucking child about this? He shook his head, his arm dropping as he sighed. And then, shocking Sorin so much he froze, Taichi grabbed the sides of his face and gave him the briefest, chastest of kisses on the lips.

Sorin's face went red and he took several steps back, covering his mouth with his hand.

"What the fuck are you doing?" He yelled and Taichi wiped his own mouth with the back of his hand, b rushing it against his jeans to clean away the germs.

"That's what you're mad about. That was the kiss. All of it. Half a second of lips together and you're ruining everyone's lives." Taichi exaggerated. "You got your nose broken, you've hurt Yayoi's feelings, Chichi's worried about you, all because of a tiny little kiss six fucking years ago. Grow up Sorin."

There, that should solve that, Taichi thought as he turned and retreated to his bedroom for the night. Maybe he'd get some studying in and talk his dad into letting him hang out with Daichi tomorrow, he thought, mind already leaving his brother's still frozen form in the living room. He was done with this bullshit; he had better things to worry about.

Saturday afternoon was quiet as Taichi and Sora went about more baking in the kitchen. Grimmjow and Ichigo had decided to take off for the weekend and hit an onsen, Taichi neither knew nor cared where his brother had ended up; or his sister for that matter. It was nice to hang out with Sora. He was smart, surprisingly funny in a dry sort of way, and blunt. He seemed to hold nothing back when he felt he needed to say it and Taichi appreciated that in people. There weren't enough honest people in the world and he sadly had to include himself in that count.

Earlier, he and Sora had gotten on the topic of aliens, something that Taichi had found out Sora was a tad obsessed with a few weeks prior. He'd never really thought about the concept before then, the idea that aliens existed, traveled through space, watched and/or interfered in the daily lives of random human beings. It seemed a bit absurd when he thought about it, but the way Sora spoke about it had him looking a bit deeper at it.

"Aliens, though? I mean, little green men-"

"No, that's Hollywood movie bullshit." Sora cut him off, shaking his head. "Most aliens have been described as tall, thin, with large heads and large black eyes. These are the Grays, but there had been many reports of different races of aliens as well. Why everyone focuses on 'little green men' or even the Grays themselves is a little infuriating, not to mention ignorant. It takes a very small mind to be so sure that in this vast universe, only one sort of being besides ourselves exists, and an even smaller mind to be sure that we are the only intelligent life out there. 'Intelligent' being subjective." Sora had used finger quotes several times during their conversation and it made Taichi smile every time.

"Right, but it just seems like a lot to take in. I suppose it's worse for ultra religious people to see the possibility, but we don't really know enough about this universe to say one way or another, right?"

"The likelihood is high that there are other populated worlds out there. Our issue is our lack of technology, and our insistence of searching for life that meets our ideals. We only know about carbon based life forms, and we can't seem to contemplate the idea that there could be different kinds of life that does not directly mimic our own understanding."

Taichi just smiled at him, his head propped up on his hand as he leaned against the island. Sora frowned at him.

"What?"

"Nothing. I just love how passionate you are about this, even if I can't fully understand everything you say."

Sora blushed and looked away at the timer on the counter. He pushed his glasses up his nose and cleared his throat.

"I supposed I can relate with how you are in regards to baking. I barely understand it but your passion makes me want to."

He felt his face heat and Taichi pushed off the counter. "Now, let's get cross our fingers these cookies turn out well and you can impress your class on Monday." Sora made him feel like no one else ever had. He felt so comfortable around him, so accepted for who and what he was that he was lighter and lighter ever meeting. He liked hanging out with him, might even do it outside their tutoring session if he was asked, but something held him back from asking himself. Maybe he didn't want Sora to get the wrong idea? He wasn't looking to date, Sora or anyone else for that matter, and he didn't want to send mixed messages. But if Sora asked….

The cookies had turned out great, for once, and, since they were on a roll, Taichi suggested they try something a little harder. It was still pretty early, and Sora had nowhere else to be, so he agreed. Usually, Sora needed complete silence while he worked, and it had never bothered Taichi before. At least he'd never said anything to Sora about it. But as he gathered things-he already knew where everything in the kitchen was and felt right at home doing as he pleased-Taichi seemed to pull inward, his thoughts making a line form between his brows, and his pretty pink painted lips thin. Sora called out to him, trying to break his thoughts but he wasn't heard right away. It wasn't until Sora stood right in front of him, looking up into his eyes, that he caught Taichi's attention.

"Kurosaki-kun. Are you okay?" Sora asked, and Taichi shook himself before he forced a smile for him.

"Sorry. Must have been daydreaming."

"Didn't look like you were thinking of something pleasant." Sora pointed out and Taichi sighed, busying himself by checking that Sora had gathered everything he needed. Sora was quiet as he watched before he blurt out bluntly, "Is it about the rumors that are going around now?"

They hadn't talked about what had happened at school the day before, nor about what had been happening the entire week, but when Taichi tensed Sora figured he'd hit the nail on the head. It was easier to read him than he thought it was. That, or Sora was far too observant for his own good. Taichi finally looked at him, his brows furrowed, a strange, cautious expression in his eyes.

"Does it bother you to be around me with rumors like that floating around?"

"Are they true?" Sora asked, his expression blank and unreadable. He knew what he'd seen that day in the music room confirmed at least some of the rumors, but that didn't mean all the nasty things going around about him were true. "Did you really do that stuff?" Taichi sighed and turned away, not answering Sora. Or, perhaps not replying was answer enough.

"I don't think it changes anything. You're still the you that decided to help someone when you didn't have to, and you're still the you that sits patiently with that someone when they mess up over and over again. People do stupid things sometimes, it doesn't necessarily make them bad people." Sora missed the blush that spread across Taichi's face when he quickly turned away.

"You're too nice."

"No I'm not." Sora countered and met Taichi's soft brown eyes when he looked back over his shoulder. "If I thought less of you, or was disgusted, I wouldn't be here." And with that, he went back to work, carefully adding ingredients to the bowl he was mixing, unaware that Taichi's heart was racing and his cheeks were a shade of pink they hadn't been in ages.

A/N Sorry it's a little late, I had some issues pop up that made me unable to brain for a bit... But I hope this chapter makes up for it! Thanks again for all of your still reading. I'm going to try and get something else out sooner because I GOT THAT JOB I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GONNA GET! I start March 4th with training so I may be a bit washed out a few weeks. I'll keep writing and taking notes but if I start getting too behind feel free to poke at me either here or Facebook.

As always, review and let me know what you think!

Much loves!

~Penny